Can you tell if a clutch is bad from a visual inspection?

[Phydous]

On this thread:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=783976&highlight=clutch

Cusser wrote:

[VW_Jimbo]

There is a wear limit. I think it is 7mm. You will need to remove the pressure plate to get to the clutch disc. Take an open end 7mm wrench and see if it will go over the edge of the clutch disc. If so, get a new one. If not…depends. How much is your time worth? How soon do you want to remove the engine?
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[scrivyscriv]

A bus transmission eh, nice
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Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help.

[TDCTDI]

No, you cannot tell the condition of the clutch without removing the pressure plate.


Remove the pressure plate & check the thickness of the clutch disc & see if it’s contaminated with oil.
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Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[Phydous]

Thanks for the input everyone. I decided to order a new clutch kit since I have the engine out. Black Friday Jbugs got me.

[Starbucket]

Resurface the flywheel or you won't be happy.

[RWK]

Yes, resurface flywheel and replace clutch, more then likely trans is/was ok, bus trans are pretty tough.
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73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530

[Phydous]

[OTTO 1303]

Definitely resurface flywheel, a good machine shop will only remove what is necessary.

My friction plate was within thickness spec, but had slight grooves worn on both sides. I resurfaced the friction plate using 180 grit sandpaper on a sanding block, by hand using only slight pressure until surfaces were smooth.

For the pressure plate, I resurfaced on glass with 60 or 80 grit using a circular motion letting the weight of the pressure plate do the work, until completely smooth.

This resulted in a much smoother clutch than before, very pleased.

Don’t forget to inspect/replace clutch release bearing, and regrease/replace pilot bearing. Splines like a little grease too.

Check crank end play and reshim if necessary.
Inspect/ replace both the main seal and the flywheel oring seal.

Blue Loctite on gland nut threads, torque to spec.
Same for pressure plate to flywheel.

Good Luck
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74 Super Sun Bug - OTTO
74 Super - DANZIG
74 Super - HERZOG

[gt1953]

not sure which clutch disc you are going to use but here you can see the difference in them. The rigid type and the spring type. I prefer the rigit type as you can see the 8 rivits to transfer power/torque and the spring type only uses 3 rivits. I have had one of the springs fall out before. ps they are for sale too.

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Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[KTPhil]

Check the pressure plate that the fingers are all even and the surfaces are flat where they bear on the TO bearing surface. If not even, a spring is broken or weak, meaning PP replacement as well.

While out... check all these, as well as TO bearing and its mounting, and put a small gob of lube on the gland nut nearing. Not a bad idea to replace the main seal with a good new one.